Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_00.gif)
Sunday - January 11, 2009
From: Wesley Chapel, FL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Groundcovers
Title: Ground cover for damp areas
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I am looking for a cover ground plants that tolerate damp areas. Any suggestions?ANSWER:
There are a number of plants that serve as ground covers and like damp soil. You didn't say what height you were interested in, if it was for foot traffic on a lawn, shade or sun, etc. So, we chose two of our favorite groundcovers, several sedges, as most sedges are fond of damp soil, and some grasses. All those listed are native to Florida, and should be commercially available. We will list them in order of height: the first two are pretty low, clinging to the ground; the sedges tend to be about one foot tall and, unfortunately, many of them look a lot like weeds; finally, the grasses are taller, but are attractive and hold their places year-round. Follow the plant links to the webpage on each plant to find out if it does best in shade or sun, its height and the type of soil it likes, then make your selection based on the location where you will be using it. When you have made your choices, if you have difficulty finding the plants you want, go to our Native Plant Suppliers section, type your town and state in the "Enter Search Location" box and you will get a list of native plant nurseries, seed companies and landscape consultants in your general area.
GROUNDCOVERS
Calyptocarpus vialis (straggler daisy)
Phyla nodiflora (turkey tangle fogfruit)
SEDGES
Andropogon virginicus (broomsedge bluestem)
Carex albolutescens (greenwhite sedge) - pictures
Carex blanda (eastern woodland sedge)
Carex cherokeensis (Cherokee sedge)
Carex crus-corvi (ravenfoot sedge)
Carex glaucescens (southern waxy sedge)
Carex stipata (owlfruit sedge)
GRASSES
Bouteloua curtipendula (sideoats grama)
Chasmanthium latifolium (Inland sea oats)
Eragrostis spectabilis (purple lovegrass)
Muhlenbergia schreberi (nimblewill)
Paspalum floridanum (Florida paspalum)
Poa arachnifera (Texas bluegrass)
More Groundcovers Questions
Source for silver ponyfoot from Temple TX
March 19, 2013 - Where can I purchase dichondra argentea -- I live in Bell Co. but am willing to come to Austin if need be.
Thank you.
view the full question and answer
Groundcovers for steep slope in East Texas
July 15, 2008 - I HAVE A LAKE LOT IN EAST TEXAS ON TOLEDO BEND RESERVOIR IN HEMPHILL TEXAS. THE LAKE LOT IS BEAUTIFUL BUT VERY STEEP. IN SOME SPOTS IT IS ENTIRELY TOO STEEP TO MOW. IT WAS COMPLETELY GROWN UP WHEN WE ...
view the full question and answer
Native plants for memorial garden in Michigan
March 04, 2008 - I want to start a memorial garden for my daughter. I live in northern Michigan and the area has very tall white pines we have pruned them up about 15' so the area does get partial sun. Which plants w...
view the full question and answer
Getting rid of non-native, invasive English Ivy from Davidsonville MD
March 19, 2014 - Just moved and need to rid the well established Ivy planted on the steep slope area around the back and side of the house as it is taking over the bushes on the top and trees in forested area at botto...
view the full question and answer
Identity of groundcover in Parker County, TX
June 02, 2013 - I'm trying to identify a native "groundcover" that looks much like frogfruit, as far as the leaves and growth pattern, but has small yellow flowers that look like little lanterns as buds. I know it...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |